Some after school and extra-curricular activities advance far beyond recreation and pleasure. Some provide valuable life-long lessons and can even deliver skills that have the potential to result in full blown career opportunities down the road. One prime example of such an institution in our midst is alive and well at Dance Arts Studio of Stevensville.
Dance Arts is always striving to challenge their dancers and continues to seek out new opportunities for them. The studio and its programs have a strong reputation for turning out many professional dancers. They recognize well the fact that it’s always important to educate both the dancers and their families about careers in the field of dance.
Disney, by way of example, is one of the world’s largest employers of entertainers, and what better way to see the job opportunities offered than by experiencing it first hand.
On April 3rd, nine dancers from Berrien County, all currently enrolled at Dance Arts, were given the opportunity of a lifetime to perform at Walt Disney World in Florida. Those dancers, ranging from ages 8-to-16, performed three dances in front of a large audience at Disney Springs, as part of the Disney Performing Arts program.
Participating in the Disney Performing Arts Program also earned those dancers the privilege to meet cast members, and work directly with them. On April 4th the dancers had the exciting opportunity to attend a workshop with Disney Dancer and former Rockette Lindsey.
That workshop included mock auditions and career tips, including resume and portfolio instructions, to help the dancers’ future endeavors. The experience combined the fun of Disney World with an eye-opening view as to the variety of opportunities available to those dreaming of becoming professional dancers.
The response was overwhelming. As 12 year old Kayla Ferry said, “I love to dance! This trip made me want to become a professional dancer someday.”
The Dance Arts Disney dancers are under the direction of Rhonda Rabbers and Sarah Hannich. They are hopeful that the experience will become a new tradition at Dance Arts.
The studio is located on Marquette Woods Road in Stevensville, alongside the I-94 entrance ramp and offers a wide variety of dance instruction. Additional information can be found on their website: www.dancearts-sdt.com or on their Facebook page.
